Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention
Task Force
To provide leadership and resources to reduce and prevent underage drinking
and other youth substance abuse in Lake County.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
November 1, 2023 Steve Husak
(847) 540-5061
steve.husak@lakezurich.org
Media Release
ALCOHOL SALES COMPLIANCE CHECKS – FALL 2023
The high school football season brings memorable events for young people including homecoming games and related dances and parties. Unfortunately, with these events also come concerns about underage drinking.
Throughout the fall season, businesses throughout Lake County saw teens entering their stores attempting to purchase alcohol. This was part of a county-wide effort to continue promoting positive practices by stores and restaurants that sell alcohol. Law enforcement agencies worked with local groups and young adults to see if they could purchase alcohol with identification that showed they were under 21.
“Consistency from community to community and monitoring underage drinking issues will help us be successful in addressing this problem and saving lives. Our desire is to see 100% compliance, but it is refreshing to see the majority of businesses realize the seriousness of this issue and did not sell alcohol to the underage participants.” commented Steve Husak, Chairman of the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force.
Sale of alcohol to a person under 21 years of age is illegal under local and state laws and is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, fine, or probation.
Liquor compliance checks are part of an initiative by the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force. This task force was formed in 2007 to provide leadership and resources to reduce and prevent underage drinking and other youth substance abuse in Lake County. The task force is made up of a diverse group of citizens including community members, school officials, parents, law enforcement personnel, and other professionals.
Police departments that participated in the recent compliance checks include:
Department Checks Violations
Buffalo Grove 23 1
Deerfield 10 0
Lake County Sheriff 55 7
Lake Forest 13 6
Lake Zurich 21 1
Lincolnshire 20 0
Riverwoods 4 0
Winthrop Harbor 14 2
Total 160 17
